JERUSALEM – A previously unknown Palestinian terrorist group yesterday claimed it kidnapped a young American teacher in the West Bank.

U.S. consulate officials confirmed that Michael Phillips of New Orleans was missing but had no other details.

But a group calling itself Ansar Assuna faxed a copy of Phillips’ U.S. passport, Israeli entry visa and student identification card to news agencies and Palestinian security officials to prove their claim of responsibility.

They made no demands at first.

But hours later a masked member told reporters that Phillips could be traded for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

“Our demands are the immediate release of all imprisoned women and minors,” he said.

He added that Phillips was abducted to “confront the American war on Islam” and to force the U.S.

to “pressure the Israeli government to stop its policies” directed at Palestinians.

Phillips, 24, was working as an English teacher in the West Bank town of Nablus for Project Hope, a local charity catering to underprivileged Palestinian children.

Project Hope manager Samah Atout said she received a call saying Phillips had been abducted but did not elaborate.

Palestinian officials said they were alarmed and investigating.

Even the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, a terrorist group allied with the Fatah political faction, said it was trying to help find Phillips.

“We have no hand in this, and if it is true that he was kidnapped, it will harm the Palestinian people,” Alaa Sanakreh of the brigade, told the newspaper Ha’aretz. With Post Wire Services